Act Your Age!

How old are we? What does our life reveal? When we are expected to act our age, what age would that be? Is it merely the number of years we have lived that determines the manner in which we act? Have we all heard the expression, "Act your age, not your I.Q."? That statement generally means the I.Q. (intelligence quotient) is low, with that being the maturity level being displayed, rather than what the expectation is according to the number of years lived.

Consider the following. It has been noted that each person has five ages at any one time. (1) Chronological; the number of years lived. (2) Physical; how old one looks or feels. (3) Mental; how much one knows. (4) Emotional; the maturity of one's behavior. (5) Spiritual; the depth of one's knowledge and practice of Christian principles. [paraphrased from Jay Lockhart, Benton, KY (from the 2009 Great Smoky Mountain Marriage Retreat)]

It is true we do not all grow up and mature at the same rate. Some of this we can't control. However, growth is the expectation and where we do have the control, we ought to wisely pursue the growth needed.

The Hebrew writer drew attention to lack of growth when he wrote. . .
"(12) For though BY THIS TIME YOU OUGHT TO BE TEACHERS, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, (13) for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. (14) But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." ( Hebrews 5:12-14 ESV)

These had been Christians long enough that they should have grown in enough knowledge to teach others. However, they were still in need of basic instruction themselves. They had not grown and MATURED SPIRITUALLY.

Some people have been referred to as being WISE BEYOND THEIR YEARS. The wisdom of such individuals is not reflected in accordance with age, but rather in their understanding and its impact on the actions of their life. Though it is often assumed that wisdom is in relation to age and understanding comes with years ( Job 12:12), that is not always the case.

In the Psalms we read. . .
"I UNDERSTAND MORE THAN THE AGED, FOR I KEEP YOUR PRECEPTS." ( Psalm 119:100 ESV)

Therein lies the secret to the SPIRITUAL MATURITY we need to progress in; keeping the focus on the Will of God for our life. Even in the years of youth SPIRITUAL MATURITY is possible. That is because it relates not to quantity of years, but to the quality of the focus in them!

Peter ended his second letter by stating. . .
"(18) But GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." ( 2 Peter 3:18 ESV)

What marks our age with regard to SPIRITUAL MATURITY? That age relates to life now and eternity to come. This body will get old and less functional as the years go by. However, inwardly we can grow and be "renewed day by day." ( 2 Corinthians 4:16) May we retain a proper focus toward growing up in Christ.

Have a great day AGING BEAUTIFULLY IN SPIRITUAL LIVING!
Carl

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